Senators Introduce Bill to Block Mobile Spam

Two U.S. Senators have drafted a bill that blocks unsolicited text messages by increasing government oversight of commercial messaging.

Two U.S. Senators have drafted a bill that blocks unsolicited text messages by increasing government oversight of commercial messaging, according to MediaPost.

Senators Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) have introduced the m-SPAM Act, which would give the FCC and FTC greater latitude in blocking commercial enterprises from spamming any wireless phone number that's already in the Do-Not-Call registry. That essentially amounts to an extension of 2004's (largely ineffective) CAN-SPAM act, which prevents businesses from sending unsolicited e-mail messages.

"Mobile spam invades both a consumer's cell
phone and monthly bill," said Sen. Snowe, in a statement. "There is
also increasing concern that mobile spam will become more than just an
annoyance--the viruses and malicious spyware that are often attached
to traditional spam will most likely be more prevalent on wireless
devices through m-spam."